Origins

DEMOS was founded by three siblings – Miguel, Nicolás and Yvette Carter – to pursue activities in honor of their parents, John Carter and Renée Galland Carter, who served as missionaries and social workers for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Paraguay for 35 years.

John and Renée were co-directors of Paraguay’s first community development center, Misión de Amistad (Friendship Mission) and founded the country’s first puppet theater. They also collaborated in various educational endeavors sponsored by the Disciples of Christ, including the Colegio Internacional. In particular, John and Renée helped establish the camp pedagogy in Paraguay from the mid-1960s onwards, through activities held at the Jack Norment Camp, in the outskirts of Caacupé. Both served as the camp’s directors for 15 years, after which they published a major book on this pedagogical method, Campamentos … una experiencia educativa (Camps … an Educational Experience), in 2002.

Renée was a prominent leader in the World Day of Prayer movement until her passing in 2007. John has prepared various volumes on the family history and their life memoir.

DEMOS builds on the ecumenical spirit, creative gifts and life-long concern for the environment, peace, human rights, democracy and social justice that stirred John and Renée’s engagements in Paraguay, especially among children, youth and women.

DEMOS was set up in Paraguay as non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) in 2014. Its affiliate in Guinea-Bissau was created in 2018.